S. Misanthrope Posted April 9, 2016 Posted April 9, 2016 I called in last week for the first time and asked a question that I knew would be offensive to many in my social media network. I was unsure whether I wanted to post the call to Facebook, as I figured it would just confirm what I already knew about certain people. Before I could decide either way, a real-life friend to whom I'd sent the show posted it to his own Facebook, because he enjoyed it and thought others might find it intriguing. Of course it immediately blew up and, given our mutual friends and the nature of the community we're both involved in, it's basically "out" now no different than if I had posted it myself. So I've been dealing with the barrage of questions and replies and attacks since then, and I'm mostly feeling like "Why am I wasting my time on these people?" So I wanted to ask the folks here if anyone had a similar experience with backlash from their call, or even just from posting a Stefan video. How did you react and what came of it? What did you gain from the experience, and what did it cost you? Thanks in advance!
dsayers Posted April 9, 2016 Posted April 9, 2016 I've been dealing with the barrage of questions and replies and attacks since then, and I'm mostly feeling like "Why am I wasting my time on these people?" Why are those people attacking you? If it's just for disagreeing with them, I would point that out. Are the questions you're getting asked coming out of curiosity? If not, I would point that out. Also, would you be willing to share what it was you discussed and what specifically people are reacting to?
liberecak Posted April 9, 2016 Posted April 9, 2016 Hi, I have never called the show or shared one of Stefan's posts on Facebook, although I have sent links to individuals, and shown a few of his videos to students I am teaching English to. I kind of know what you're talking about though, because I once startled the horses by trying to explain that Islam is not a religion of peace. It's hard, because I had been the best man at the wedding of perhaps the angriest of those present. They aren't bad people, they are just wrong, but the nature of their wrongness leads them to believe that those who have a different view are evil. I think that they are wrong, they think that I am both wrong and evil. On the other hand, I posted this on FB and got a more positive response than I had expected, including from the bridegroom in question. Reality will become apparent in the end. "Truth and love will always win over lies and hate." - Václav Havel. It might take some time though, I assume in San Francisco you are quite removed from where the action is. Could you post the link in question?
Matthew Ed Moran Posted April 9, 2016 Posted April 9, 2016 Once I posted something about gun control along with one of Stefan's presentations. I actually got a few up votes, but my dad saw it and was upset because I started off the post with "the conversation about gun control in america is disappointing." Never mind how many arguments I made after to prove my point, he still said "it's like you're saying you're disappointed with people." Well obviously some people, but why did it bother him? I guess he was too frail to handle being in the circumference of my disappointment. Apparently my justification which I spent about an hour on meant nothing to him, and apparently his disappointment in me was far more important than any disappointments I had. He had no regard for me at all. If someone has so little respect for me that they will chose to be immediately offended, and not offer even 5 minutes to listen to the content of what I am saying before going on the offensive, then those people have a free ride on the "fuck you" bus right out of my life. I can have a more productive conversation with myself than with people like that. I don't want to enter into a conversation to baby sit someone else's emotions like they're my responsibility. One question came to me is "do people have any idea how brave it is to talk about something really important and controversial?" Do they take any notice of that before asking questions? Is there any regard for how cool it is that you spoke out on a huge philosophical podcast? Just because someone is asking questions doesn't necessarily mean they're curious. People do ask questions to try to poke at others and make them look bad out of spite. 6
David Ottinger Posted April 10, 2016 Posted April 10, 2016 I called in last week for the first time and asked a question that I knew would be offensive to many in my social media network. I was unsure whether I wanted to post the call to Facebook, as I figured it would just confirm what I already knew about certain people. Before I could decide either way, a real-life friend to whom I'd sent the show posted it to his own Facebook, because he enjoyed it and thought others might find it intriguing. Of course it immediately blew up and, given our mutual friends and the nature of the community we're both involved in, it's basically "out" now no different than if I had posted it myself. So I've been dealing with the barrage of questions and replies and attacks since then, and I'm mostly feeling like "Why am I wasting my time on these people?" So I wanted to ask the folks here if anyone had a similar experience with backlash from their call, or even just from posting a Stefan video. How did you react and what came of it? What did you gain from the experience, and what did it cost you? Thanks in advance! Bravo on taking such a brave step. Now the journey begins. Some people will hate you and try to tear you down. Some will love you and cheer you on. And some won't care since they weren't paying attention anyways. To answer your question: What I have discovered is that the more I follow my own values the better my life is becoming. 1
S. Misanthrope Posted April 10, 2016 Author Posted April 10, 2016 Hm, I responded last night but don't see the posts today. Well, thanks so much for the responses! This is the show I was on:
adamNJ Posted April 11, 2016 Posted April 11, 2016 Hm, I responded last night but don't see the posts today. Well, thanks so much for the responses! This is the show I was on: Like what's the worse kind of backlash you have recieved? insults or people unfriending you?
raz1911 Posted April 12, 2016 Posted April 12, 2016 Maybe you can take this as a way to discuss with people about looking past their emotions and not letting that get in the way of their decisions.
S. Misanthrope Posted April 12, 2016 Author Posted April 12, 2016 I tried to post a couple of times with more details of what's going on, but it's not going through. Sorry! I promise I'm not ignoring you all.
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